Remove Progs!!

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Hi all,
does anyone know a link for a good freeware program to replace Windows Add/Remove???????????
Cheers,
Kat

 

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Here is a link to a little free program that I use for cleaning...although I dont know how good the add/remove programs bit is.

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

 

Just wondering why you need an alternative?

 

I'm sort of wondering about that one too. The Windows add/remove programs wizard has hooks in the OS that no third party tool will ever have, and that's a good thing in this instance. It's the preferred way to uninstall software on Windows.

 

Yes i know its a good part of windows..
Im asking coz, my 2nd laptop, which is XP has loads of progs and i dont want zero it, as its fine, but when i go to add/rem the remove option has disappeared...Weird, never had this happen before!!!
Kat

 

Erm......

Got absolutely no idea on this one!

Why not try running a repair option on XP by booting from the CD to see if this resolves the issue?

Thats about all I can suggest.....

You do have admin rights dont you?

:hhhmmm :hhhmmm :hhhmmm

 

Yeh Simon, thats my last option... so strange, never come across this!!! Like to know why its happened!!! Windows..............Ummmmmmmm.....

Kat

 

hi kat. i take it you mean you tried to uninstall and then it was still there but no option to remove?

before you do these steps,you'll need to create a restore point.

try c: program files/*publisher*/*program name* to see if there's any leftovers hanging around.

now you'll have to have a rummage in the registry but dont worry, system restore should put everything back the way it was.

run regedit and look in \hkey_local_machine\software\ *publisher*\program name*

to make sure there are no parts of the program running at start up check
\hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run and also

hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run.

just please,please,please, remember to backup the registry with system restore first.

EDIT:also try THIS program to help you rollback programs if it happens again.

 

Kat,

What has changed on your system lately? Have you installed any patches, new software, removed any programs? Are you having any other problems with your computer?

Do a file search for "appwiz.cpl", without the quotes of course, and see if you can find it on your system. It should be found in the %system root%\system32 folder. If it is found elsewhere try copying it back into the folder it should be in and let us know what happens.

I'd also look in the Recycle Bin just in case. If it's there just restore it.

 

Thanks all,
Moom-No, nothing has been removed or attempted, thats why its so strange to me, i know what u mean, this is totally different,..

Thanks Ffree, yeh will try and get back later....
Kat

 

ffree... yeh its in there............system32. so i assume ok... but not in this case......Ummmmmmmmm.....

Kat

 

that is weird kat. hope you find it mate.

 

Kat,

Try this.

 

One other question, Kat. What happens when you right- click the appwiz.cpl file in %system root%\system32? Are you given a choice of opening it with the the control panel? If so does it work correctly when that option is chosen?

 

Hi ffree,

ok, right click in %sys32 with control p, still the same. Tried cmd option, said succeeded or something. Still the same. I was reading somewhere that people whove downloaded Windows malicious security tool or whatever its called had the same prob. Ok, iv got that, but couldnt tell u when d/loaded, or if add/rem was working before.... Just a thought.
Kat

 

Just checked for you, Kat - I have the MS anti-spyware tool on here, and I still have the Add/Remove option on my CP. Sorry - doesn't look like that might be the cause ....

 

Thanks Gav..... man this is weird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kat

 

Kat,

Just picked up on this. Do you mean that certain items are not listed in the "add/remove programs"?
Because if you have a laptop like me where the OS has been cloned by the manufacturer then certain things aren't there as an option!

 

Hi Boycie,
no mate, their all there... its just missing the remove/modify part..
OK, i found this link. http://www.winxptutor.com/arpbuttons.htm
Its what i want, but having followed it, i find at uninstall/programs, i havent got any????Lol....
If you look at his thumbnail, u'll see he has a list in the left pane, Adobe/AOL etc etc. WHERES MINE???
Kat

 

Kat, a wild stab in the dark, but does this happen (or not !) in both category and classic views of the CP ?